Kiimote: Alpha-numeric typing with a Wii Remote

What do you need? PC, bluetooth adapter, Wii remote, Glovepie, and Blusoliel or Widcomm BT stacks. And AA batteries.

Why would you use it? I doubt that you would. But it exists just in case.

What is a chorded keyboard? A small (one-handed) keyboard that uses keys in combination ("chords") to cut down button numbers, often to 8 or fewer. With training (and an obvious learning curve), you can type as fast with one, and have a free hand. The Kiimote requires two hands, or exceptional digital dexterity, so it isn't strictly a chorded keyboard, it's just inspired by them.

The first device I ever saw I only vaguely remember. It was on a PBS special, and it was 8 keys on two hand bars of a motorcycle. The rider was on the road a LOT, had a miniature computer screen that he could flip down in front of one eye, and full control of the hardware with those eight keys. I don't remember exactly, but I assume he was a writer, and was focused mainly on typing on the road. That has always stuck in my head, and executing it here seemed like a good way to dive into Glovepie.

Why make one? The Kiimote can't be used with one hand (well, I can't use it with one hand), so this isn't strictly a chorded keyboard. However I dredged up a few DIY chorded keyboard projects on the net, and hardware was a common problem, causing some to even abandon their projects. Using Kiimote, someone could do a hardware mod to the Wiimote (for instance, moving Wiimote 1, 2, + and - to the side where they could be pressed by your 4 support fingers, and leaving the d-pad there for your thumb (other hardware mods could be imagined, a smaller housing could be used sans the IR camera and accelerometer, or both could be utilized as additional keys in a modified script)) and Glovepie, and have a quick solution to the hardware problem.

Seems like waaay too much trouble to go through for something like that.
Thanks, Wiinter.

I had ulterior motives. My biggest script ever will be for MS Allegiance, and I'm considering limiting myself to just one mote and one chuck for an endless number if commands. I needed a way of coding many different commands over combinations that could effectively be used. I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

If I could interest hobbyist chorded keyboard makers in Wiimote hardware, that would be exciting too.